Sen. Jesse Helms, a North Carolina Republican who spent 30 years in the Senate defending marriage, preborn babies and school prayer, died Friday. He was 86.
President George W. Bush called the senator a “fearless defender of a culture of life.” Helms earned the nickname “Senator No” because of his opposition to Democratic measures.
“Jesse Helms was a kind, decent and humble man, and a passionate defender of what he called ‘the Miracle of America,’ ” Bush said. “So it is fitting that this great patriot left us on the Fourth of July.
“He was once asked if he had any ambitions beyond the United States Senate. He replied: ‘The only thing I am running for is the Kingdom of Heaven.’ Today, Jesse Helms has finished the race, and we pray he finds comfort in the arms of the loving God he strove to serve throughout his life.”
The Rev. Billy Graham remembered his friend as "a man of consistent conviction to conservative ideals and courage to faithfully serve God and country based on principle, not popularity or politics.”
Helms leaves behind his wife, Dorothy, three children and seven grandchildren. A funeral is planned for Tuesday.
